and the one who serves it, the one who drinks it, and the one who consumes the proceeds from its sale.” (1).

There has been disagreement over whether it is permissible to curse a particular sinner. Some have held that it is permissible, including a group among the followers of Ahmad and others, such as Abū al-Faraj ibn al-Jawzī and others. Others have held that it is impermissible, including another group among the followers of Ahmad and others, such as Abū Bakr Abd al-Azīz and others.

It is well known that Ahmad disapproved (2) of cursing a particular individual, such as al-Hajjāj ibn Yūsuf and others like him, and preferred that one say as Allah Most High says:

“Unquestionably, Allah’s curse is upon the wrongdoers.”

[Sūrat Hūd: 18]

It is established in [Sahih] al-Bukhārī (3): “A man was known as Himār (Donkey) (4), and he used to drink wine. He would be brought before the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—who would have him flogged. On one occasion, when he was brought before him, a man said, ‘May Allah curse him! How often he is brought before the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him!’ The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said, ‘Do not curse him, for he loves Allah and His Messenger.’” (5).

Thus, the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—forbade cursing this particular man, who drank wine frequently, explaining that this was because he loved Allah and His Messenger, despite the fact that he—peace and blessings be upon him—